Golf score counter

ABSTRACT

A portable device for recording golf scores having a rotatableprinting wheel for printing the number of strokes for each hole upon a card. A counting wheel assembly having printing type thereon is actuated by the rotatable-printing wheel for recording the total of nine holes and of eighteen holes. A rotatable connection between the rotatable-printing wheel and the counting wheel assembly permits backward rotation of the printing wheel without moving the counting wheel assembly.

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ATTORNEYS M7 I70 292 MO SHEET 3 OF 3 HOLE PAR YARDS ummmwmnm CHASE GOLF COURSE DATE PATENTEU FEB 9 an VII/ll HOLE PAR YARDSUU IN VI'JN'I ()R. Andi [farm s ATTORNEYS l8 SCORE 65647 l-Ol IIY l23456789 SCORE GOLF SCORE COUNTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a golf score counter comprising a small portable case into which a card is inserted for recording the number of strokes for each hole and the total number of strokes for nine holes and I8 holes. Manually operated printing means records the number of strokes for each hole and actuates counting mechanism for recording the totals.

2. Description of the Prior Art Although various counting devices have been produced in the past, including stationary printing apparatus for printing the ball results and score on a bowling game score sheet, to applicants knowledge no portable device has heretofore been produced for recording the strokes for each hole and the totals for each nine holes and 18 holes of a golf game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general terms the invention may be described briefly as comprising a small portable device enclosed within a rectangular case for printing upon a card the number of strokes for each hole and the total number of strokes for nine holes and 18 holes in a game of golf.

A carriage is longitudinally movable in the case and contains a longitudinal shaft upon which is rotatably mounted a printing wheel for printing the number of strokes for each hole, and an assembly of counting wheels for printing the totals of nine holes and I8 holes.

The rotatable-printing wheel is operatively connected to the units wheel of the counting wheels by a ratchet device which provides for rotating the units wheel forward in unison with the rotatable-printing wheel, but permits the rotatable-printing wheel to be rotated backward to zero without moving the counting wheels.

There is an elongated slot in the top of the case through which the upper edges of the wheels may slightly protrude. This slot is provided along its edges with spaced pairs of opposed notches.

A depressible spring-loaded slide button is connected to the carriage and is provided with oppositely disposed projections adapted to be received in the opposed notches along the sides of the slot.

A score card is placed in the bottom of the case, below the wheels, and a sheet of carbon paper, or similar transfer medium, is inserted between the score card and the type upon the wheels.

For the purpose of inserting and removing the score card and carbon paper, the bottom wall of the case may be hingedly connected to the case at one side edge and provided with latch means at the opposite edge.

A spring-loaded press bar is located in the hinged bottom wall of the case and adapted to press the carbon paper covered score card against the type upon the rotatable printing wheel for recording the number of strokes for each individual hole and against the type on the counting wheels for recording the total number of strokes for nine holes and 18 holes.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a simple and easily operated portable device for recording golf scores of golf players.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device having a rotatable-printing wheel for recording the number of strokes for each hole and an assembly of counting wheels operated by said rotatable-printing wheel for recording the total number of strokes for nine holes and for I8 holes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a golf score counter of the character referred to in which the rotatableprinting wheel is operatively connected to the units wheel of the counting wheels by a ratchet device which will cause the unit wheel to be moved forwardly by forward rotation of rotatab t; printing wheel, but which will permit the rotatableprinting wheel to be rotated backward without moving the units wheel of the counting wheels.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a golf score counter in which the wheels are rotatably mounted upon a shaft on a longitudinally movable carriage within the case.

Another object of the invention is to provide a golf score counter of this type having an elongatcdslot in the top wall of the case with opposed spaced pairs of notches in the side edges of the slot and a depressible slide button upon the carriage having projections adapted to be received in said notches.

A further object of the invention is to provide a golf score counter of the character referred to having a spring-loaded presser bar on the bottom wall of the case for pressing the score card and carbon paper against the type of the wheels to print the score on the score card.

These and other objects, apparent from the drawings and following description may be attained, the above-described difficulties overcome and the advantages and results obtained. by the apparatus, construction, arrangements and combinations, subcombinations and parts which comprise the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principle, being set forth in detail in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top plan view of a golf score counter embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2, FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3, FIG. 2, showing a score card in the bottom of the case or housing.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the face of the strip of carbon paper used in the counter;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken on the line 5-5, FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing the printing and counting wheel assembly, taken on the line 6-6, FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detached side elevation of one side of one of the counting wheels;

FIG. 8 is detached side elevation of the other side of a counting wheel;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view through a counting wheel as taken on the lines 9-9, FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of one side of a separator with interengaging pinion such as located between the counting wheels;

FIG. II is a side elevation of the other side of the separator and pinion shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an edge elevation of the separator and pinion shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the individual hole score-printing wheel showing the spring pawl which engages the gear teeth on the units counting wheel;

FIG. 14 is a transverse section taken on the line 14-14, FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a portion of the side of a counting wheel showing the mutilated gear and the pinion engaging the same, taken as on the line 15-15, FIG. 16;

FIG. 16 is a further enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the printing and counting wheel assembly;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 17-17, FIG. 6, showing the spring-biased slide button with parts broken away;

FIG 18 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through one end of the press bar; and

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a completed score card.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in which similar reference numerals refer to similar parts. The golf score counter to which the invention pertains, is housed within a rectangular case indicated generally at l, which may be formed of plastic, metal or other suitable material. The case has a removable bottom wall 2 which may be hingedly connected thereto, as indicated at 3.

A presser bar 4 is mounted through an opening 5 in the hinged bottom wall 2 of the case. As best shown in FIG. 18 each end of the presser bar 4 is offset upwardly as at 6. A stud 7 is secured in the bottom wall and located through an opening 8 in each offset portion 6 of the presser bar, a coil spring 9 being interposed between the top of each offset end of the presser bar and the head of the corresponding stud 7.

The score is recorded on a score card indicated generally at 10 and best shown in FIGS. 3 and 19. This score card is adapted to be placed upon the hinged bottom wall 2 of the case 1, the endsof the score card being received in the flanged stops 11 on thebottom wall 2. An aperture 12, in the upper central portion of the score card, receives the stud 13 upon the hinged bottom wall 2 to properly locate the score card within the case.

A special score card should be prepared for each golf course, indicating thereon the number of strokes which are par for each hole of the course and the number of yards for each hole. The score card has an elongated area near the bottom thereof divided into separate spaces 14 for indicating the number of strokes the player takes for each'individual hole and other spaces 15 and 16 for recording the total number of strokes for nine holes and for IS holes, respectively.

The score card is so arranged that when it is placed upon the hinged bottom wall 2, as shown in FIG. 3, this elongated area in which the score is recorded, is located directly above the press bar 4.

A strip of carbon paper, indicated generally at 17, is placed face down over the area of the card on which the scoring spaces 14, 15 and 16 are located. For the purpose of holding the carbon paper in proper position adhesive 18 is located on the face thereof, at each end of the carbon paper strip. Blank spaces 19 and 20 are located in the center and at the righthand end of the carbon paper strip, as viewed in the drawings.

As a further precaution against accidentally printing an impressive from the type 33 on the rotatable-printing wheel 32 when recording the total for nine holes or 18 holes in the spaces 15 an or 16, respectively, on the score card, the press bar 4 may have transverse recesses 4a in its upper surface, registering with the blank spaces 19 and 20 on the carbon paper.

It should also be understood that for best results, the operator should place the pressure against the presser bar directly beneath the wheel or wheels from which he wants to obtain an impression on the score card, at the time. There will be, of course, sufficient flexibility in the presser bar to permit any portion of it to be flexed toward the desired type.

The top wall 21 of the case 1, has a longitudinally disposed slot 22 therein. The slot 22 is provided with equally spaced opposed pairs of notches 23 throughout its length.

The carriage, indicated generally at 24, is longitudinally movable within the case below the slot 22. This carriage, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, comprises a longitudinal shaft 25 having crossarms 26 at opposite ends thereof. The ends of the crossarms 26 are slidably mounted in guideways 27 formed in the case 1.

The carriage also includes a spring-biased slide button 28 mounted upon an upright post 29. This slide button is shown in detail in FIG. 17. Oppositely disposed projections 30 are formed on each side of the slide button 28 and a coil spring 31, located in the hollow upper end of the post 29, normally holds the side button in the raised position with the projections 30 located in a pair of the oppositely disposed notches 23, as shown in full lines in FIG. 17.

By depressing the slide button28 against the pressure of the spring 31, the projections 30 are moved downwardly out of the notches 23 so that the button may be moved longitudinally in the slot 22.

Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 25 of the carriage is an assembly of printing and counting wheels. This assembly of wheels includes the rotatable-printing wheel 32 for printing the scores for individual holes. The periphery of the wheel 32 projects slightly through the slot 22. Evenly spaced around the periphery of the printing wheel 32 are ten type 33 running successively from 1 to 9 and 0.

A viewing wheel 34 is rigidly connected to, or formed integrally with, the printing wheel 32. This viewing wheel, as seen in the drawings, has numerals l to 9 and 0 thereon, as indicated at 35' visible through the slot 22. The numerals 35' are'arranged diametrically opposite to the type 33 so that whatever numeral appears through the center of the slot 22 on the viewing wheel 34 corresponds to the type 33 which is located down upon the printing wheel 32 toward the carbon paper 17 score card 10.

A group of counting wheels comprising a units wheel 35, tens wheel 36 and hundreds wheel 37, are mounted forrotation upon the shaft 25 and may be of any well-known construction of counting wheel assembly as used in adding machines and the like, being so arranged that one complete rotation of the units wheel 35 will rotate the tens wheel 36 one-tenth of a rotation and one complete rotation of the tens wheel 36 will rotate the hundreds wheel 37 one-tenthof a rotation.

Means is provided between the printing wheel 32 and the unit wheel 35, to move the units wheel forward with, rotation.

of the printing wheel 32. However, such means has a ratchet drive which permits the printing wheel 32 to be turned backward without moving the units wheel 35.

Each of the counting wheels 35, 36 and 37, has type 38 from 1 to 9 and 0 equally spaced around the surface thereof. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 16, the type 33 on the printing wheel 32 are higher than the type 38 on the counting wheels 35, 36 and 37.

Although the counting wheels may be of any well-known construction, they are shown as follows for the purpose of il lustration only. Each of the counting wheels 35, 36 and 37, has an internal gear 39 on one side and a mutilated gear comprising two gear teeth 40 on its opposite side.

A spring pawl 41 is mounted on the side of the printing wheel 32 toward the units wheel 35 and as is best shown in FIG. 16, is adapted to engage the internal gear 39 on the units wheel 35. By turning the printingwheel 32 forward, the pawl 41 will cause the units wheel 35 to rotate forwardly the same distance. However, when the printing wheel 32 is rotated backward, the spring pawl 41 will click over the teeth of the internal gear 39 without moving the units wheel 35.

A separator 42 is located between the units wheel 35 and tens wheel 36 and a similar separator is located between the tens wheel 36 and the hundreds wheel 37. A double pinion, indicated generally at 43, is joumaled as at 44 in a pocket 45 on each of the separators 42. This double pinion has a central disc flange 46 and on one side it has six teeth 47 meshing with the internal gear 39 on the adjacent counting wheel while on the other side it has three long teeth 48 adapted to intermittently meshed with the two teeth 40 on the side of the opposed counting wheel and three short teeth 49 adapted to ride against the annular rib 50 of the opposed counting wheel.

The spacers 42 have notches 51 adapted to slidably receive a longitudinal rib 52 in the case to prevent rotation of the separators relative to the wheels, but to permit sliding movement of the carriage.

OPERATION In the operation of the golf score counter to record a golfers score, after completing each'hole, the golfer manually rotates the printing wheel 32 forwardly the proper distance to indicate the number of strokes he took for that hole. He then manually pushes the press bar upward pressing the carbon paper covered score card against the proper type 33 on the wheel 32 to record his score for that hole in the proper space 14 on the score card. Since the type 33 on the printing wheel 32 are higher than the type 38 on the counting wheels, only the type 33 will contact the carbon paper and cause it to print the number of strokes for each hole in the proper spaces 14, as indicated at 53 in FIG. 19.

This forward rotation of the printing wheel 32 will move the units wheel 35 forward the same distance. In order to record the score for the next hole, the slide button 28 is depressed to the broken line position of H0. 17, moving the projections 30 out of the notches 23 so that the entire carriage may be slidably moved into position to print the score for the next succeeding hole. When the slide button 28 is released, the projections 30 will move up into the proper notches 23, holding the carriage in this position. Scoring may be continued in this manner. 7

After recording of the score for the first nine holes, the counting wheels will have totaled up the score. The carriage is then moved into position so that the counting wheels 35, 36 and 37 are located over the space and the type 33 upon the printing wheel 32 are located over the central blank space 19 of the carbon paper. By then pressing upward on the press bar, the total score for the first nine holes is printed in the space 15, as indicated at 54, while the type 33 on the printing wheel 32 will not make an impression on the card.

The scores for the next nine holes are individually recorded in the spaces 14, as indicated at 55 and in the same manner as above described. The total score for the 18 holes may be printed in the space 16, as indicated at 56.

lclaim:

l. A golf score counter including a case having spaced top and bottom walls, a carriage longitudinally movable in said case, said carriage having an assembly of counting wheels thereon including a units wheel, a tens wheel and a hundreds wheel, type from 1 to 9 and 0 on each counting wheel, and a printing wheel having type from l to 9 and 0 thereon, means between said printing wheel and said units wheel for causing the units wheel to rotate forward in unison with the printing wheel and permitting backward rotation of the printing wheel without moving the units wheel, means for holding a score card upon the bottom wall with a strip of carbon paper located between the score card and the type on said printing wheel and counting wheels, a presser bar on said bottom wall for pressing the carbon paper covered score card against said type, there being an elongated slot in said top wall for permitting manual rotation of said printing wheel therethrough.

2. A golf score counter, as defined in claim I, in which said bottom wall is hingedly attached to the case.

3. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which there is means for holding the carriage in adjusted positions throughout the length of the case.

4. A golf score counter. as defined in claim 3, in which there are spaced notches in said slot and a slide button on the carriage has means for engaging said notches.

5. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which the type on said printing wheel are higher than the type on the counting wheels.

6. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which there are blank spaces on said carbon paper.

7. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which a viewing wheel is rotatable with the printing wheel, said viewing wheel having numerals from 1 to 9 and 0 thereon, arranged diametrically opposite to the type on the printing wheel.

8. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which there aretransverse recesses in the upper surface of the presser bar.

9. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 6, in which there are transverse recesses in the upper surface of the presser bar registering with the blank spaces on the carbon paper. 

1. A golf score counter including a case having spaced top and bottom walls, a carriage longitudinally movable in said case, said carriage having an assembly of counting wheels thereon including a units wheel, a tens wheel and a hundreds wheel, type from 1 to 9 and 0 on each counting wheel, and a printing wheel having type from 1 to 9 and 0 thereon, means between said printing wheel and said units wheel for causing the units wheel to rotate forward in unison with the printing wheel and permitting backward rotation of the printing wheel without moving the units wheel, means for holding a score card upon the bottom wall with a strip of carbon paper located between the score card and the type on said printing wheel and counting wheels, a presser bar on said bottom wall for pressing the carbon paper covered score card against said type, there being an elongated slot in said top wall for permitting manual rotation of said printing wheel therethrough.
 2. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which said bottom wall is hingedly attached to the case.
 3. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which there is means for holding the carriage in adjusted positions throughout the length of the case.
 4. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 3, in which there are spaced notches in said slot and a slide button on the carriage has means for engaging said notches.
 5. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which the type on said printing wheel are higher than the type on the counting wheels.
 6. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which there are blank spaces on said carbon paper.
 7. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which a viewing wheel is rotatable with the printing wheel, said viewing wheel having numerals from 1 to 9 and 0 therEon, arranged diametrically opposite to the type on the printing wheel.
 8. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 1, in which there are transverse recesses in the upper surface of the presser bar.
 9. A golf score counter, as defined in claim 6, in which there are transverse recesses in the upper surface of the presser bar registering with the blank spaces on the carbon paper. 